Honeycomb-structured hollow-block concrete floor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab made from concrete having reinforcements and conical hollow bodies ( 1 ) the cross-section of which is essentially round, oval or more than quadrilateral, wherein hollow bodies ( 1 ) are arranged between an upper and a lower reinforcement layer ( 15, 16 ) at least in sections essentially in the most compact configuration possible, wherein the areas between the upper and the lower reinforcement layers ( 15, 16 ) may be provided without hollow bodies ( 1 ). The object of the invention is to provide an improvement over conventional hollow body concrete floors. This object is solved in that spacers ( 8, 9 ) are arranged between upper reinforcement layer ( 15 ) and hollow bodies ( 1 ) on the one hand and between lower reinforcement layer ( 16 ) and hollow bodies ( 1 ) on the other hand, and that vertical reinforcements ( 17 ) are inserted in at least some of the interstitial spaces formed in each case by three adjacent hollow bodies ( 1 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a hollow body concrete floor or hollowbody concrete slab made from concrete having reinforcements and conicalhollow bodies the cross-section of which is essentially round, oval ormore than quadrilateral, wherein hollow bodies are arranged between anupper and a lower reinforcement layer at least in sections essentiallyin the most compact configuration possible, wherein the areas betweenthe upper and the lower reinforcement layers may be provided withouthollow bodies.

[0002] The use of hollow bodies to make a concrete ribbed floor is knownfrom AT 249964. The hollow bodies described in that that document areessentially quadrilateral hollow bodies having an upwardly taperingcross-section. The hollow bodies are disposed on a lower formwork floorwith the aid of spacers and arranged adjacently in rows. Spacing betweenthe hollow bodies is assured by spacers that are inserted afterwardsbetween the hollow bodies arranged in rows. The hollow bodies describedcan only be used to produce hollow body concrete floors or hollow bodyconcrete slabs that have an oriented bearing structure. Depending on theapplication, it is possible in this manner to construct floors havingparallel ribs or intersecting ribs. It is therefore only possible toproduce floors having a bearing structure that is oriented on one or twoaxes. Consequently, it is practically impossible to create floors thatdo not have an essentially rectangular surface with the structuredescribed. A further drawback of the method of floor construction of theprior art consists in that the hollow bodies with the spacers aresupported on the lower formwork. If the formwork is removed after theconcrete has hardened the spacers are visible from below. Unsightlycorrosion marks result therefrom. In the floor constructions describedin the Austrian document, the concrete ribs created thereby must bereinforced with a reinforcing steel mesh. This operation is long andlabour-intensive.

[0003] An improved version of hollow body floors is described in EP0980936. This document discloses a method for securing hollow bodieshaving round or hexagonal cross-section in reinforcing cages. The hollowbodies are disposed with the reinforcing cages in a type of honeycombarrangement on a lower reinforcing layer. The honeycomb arrangementrepresents the most compact packing arrangement for hexagonal hollowbodies. Hollow bodies are not used in the vicinity of the buttresses.Here, only reinforcing cages without hollow bodies are installed in thehollow body floor to preserve the honeycomb arrangement. A secondreinforcing layer is then applied on top of the reinforcing cages. Thetensile stresses in the floor are borne by the almost vertical faces ofthe reinforcing cage construction. Because of its triaxial bearingstructure, this floor construction makes it possible to build floorshaving any surface area The disadvantage in this case is the relativelycomplicated reinforcing cage arrangement.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to facilitate theconstruction hollow body concrete floors and hollow body concrete slabs.

[0005] This object is solved by the fact that spacers are provided bothbetween the upper reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies, and betweenthe lower reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies, and that verticalreinforcements are disposed in at least some of the interstitial spacescreated by three respectively adjacent hollow bodies. The hollow bodyconcrete floor or hollow body concrete slab produced by this method hasa number of critical advantages. Firstly, the need for reinforcing cagesis eliminated. The spacing between the upper and the lower reinforcinglayers is assured by very simply manufactured upper and lower spacingmembers. The hollow body concrete floor described needs no reinforcementin the form of horizontally aligned concrete ribs. This means thatlabour-intensive weaving of reinforcement rods may be omitted. The useof less concrete leads to a corresponding reduction in the cost andweight of the construction. The reduction in weight is maximised byarranging the hollow bodies so that they are packed together as closelyas possible. The tensile and shearing stresses are absorbed by verticalreinforcements that are disposed in certain interstitial spaces formedby three respectively adjacent hollow bodies. The verticalreinforcements may be simply implanted in the spaces from above. Thehollow body concrete floor described may occupy any surface area. Thisis because the packing of the hollow bodies in the densest possiblearrangement means that the bearing structure has no orientation. Theirconical conformation enables the hollow bodies to be stacked, so thatthey can be transported and stored inexpensively. This in turn meansthat the hollow bodies may be fabricated with very thin walls. Thespacers between the upper reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies on oneside, and between the lower reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies onthe other side, ensure that the reinforcing layer may be positionedhighly accurately. The reinforcing layer on top of the upper spacersfurther serves as a work surface, since it will support foot traffic. Itis highly advantageous that the hollow bodies may be placed contiguouslywithout levelling.

[0006] In areas where the floor must be of solid construction, plasticor concrete steel rings having the same dimensions as the hollow bodiesare installed instead of the hollow bodies, so that adjacent arrangementmay continue in these areas also without difficulty. However,reinforcing cages are required in these areas to support foot trafficand to preserve the function of the spacers. The areas are thencompletely filled with concrete to create a solid concrete section.

[0007] In one advantageous configuration of the invention, the hollowbodies and the upper and/or lower spacers are a single unit. Thisreduces the labour effort at the construction site considerably, sincethe upper and lower spacers do not need to be laid separately betweenthe reinforcing layers and the hollow bodies. The upper and/or lowerspacers may be produced, for example, together with the hollow bodies ina single pouring. The stacking capability of the conical hollow bodies.

[0008] In a further advantageous improvement, the upper and/or lowerspacers are conformed annularly. The annular upper and/or lower spacersmay be attached, for example, either to the top or the base of thehollow bodies. When conical hollow bodies are used, the upper and/orlower spacers are well adapted to this shape. The annular conformationprovides for better loading of the hollow bodies. The top wall of thehollow body is thus not subjected to bending stress.

[0009] A particularly advantageous improvement of the invention providesthat the upper and/or lower spacers are made from component parts. Sincethe spacers can be clipped onto the hollow bodies, the thickness of thelayer of concrete above and/or below the hollow bodies may be variedaccording to the selected size of the spacers, so that it is notnecessary to use hollow bodies of different dimensions.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if means are provided forattaching the upper and/or lower spacers and/or component parts. Thisenables the upper and/or lower spacers to be produced independently ofthe hollow bodies. As a consequence, normal commercially availablehollow bodies may be used as receptacles. The upper and/or lower spacersjust have to be attached to the receptacles on site. It is conceivablethat the upper and/or lower spacers may simply be placed on the hollowbodies.

[0011] A particularly advantageous configuration of the inventionprovides for the attachment of the upper and/or lower spacers and/orcomponent parts to the hollow body by means of a clip mechanism. Forthis purpose, openings are furnished in regular intervals around thecircumference of the hollow bodies, into which the lateral spacers maybe clipped.

[0012] The clip mechanism provide for secure attachment and adequatestability. It is advantageous if vertical reinforcement is provided inthe form of double-headed anchors. These are inserted in at least someof the interstitial spaces created by at least three adjacent hollowbodies. The double-headed anchors have proven to be effective asvertical reinforcement rods. They serve to absorb the tensile andshearing stresses. It is particularly advantageous if the double-headedanchors are attached to three respectively adjacent hollow bodies with athree-point bearing.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if hollow bodies having varyingaverage diameters are provided in the hollow body concrete floor orhollow body concrete slab. Smaller hollow bodies make for smallerbearing distances. Thus if hollow bodies having a smaller diameter areused, relatively high floor loads may be borne without the need to makethe concrete slab thicker above and/or below the hollow bodies.

[0014] It is advantageously provided that the hollow bodies are madefrom plastic. This reduces the weight of the hollow body concrete floorconsiderably. Moreover, production costs are low, since plastic hollowbodies may be mass-produced. If hollow bodies made from plastic areused, it is possible to use not only conventional concrete receptaclesas the hollow bodies, onto which receptacles the upper and/or lowerspacers and/or lateral spacers are placed, but also hollow bodies madefrom plastic, on which the upper and/or lower and/or lateral spacers areconformed directly.

[0015] The provision of lateral spacers represents an advantage. Theprovision of lateral spacers allows the hollow bodies to be arrangedwithout levelling If the size of the lateral spacers is varied, thespaces between the hollow bodies may be adjusted to the requirements ofthe application.

[0016] If the lateral spacers constitute a single unit with the hollowbody, a significant amount of work at the construction site iseliminated. The hollow bodies with lateral spacers are unloaded from thetruck onto the lower reinforcement layers, and then arranged withoutlevelling.

[0017] It is advantageous if the spacers may be assembled from separatecomponents. The amount of space required for storage is reduced andtransportation facilitated thereby.

[0018] In one configuration of the invention, means for attaching thelateral spacers to the hollow bodies are provided. The lateral spacersmay be produced independently of the hollow bodies, so that normallyavailable receptacles may be used as the hollow bodies. The hollowbodies are attached to the hollow bodies at the construction site.

[0019] The lateral spacers are attached more easily to the hollow bodiesif, in accordance with a preferred improvement of the invention thelateral spacers may be secured to the hollow body by means of a clipmechanism, the lateral spacers are only inserted into holes located inthe circumference of the hollow bodies.

[0020] In an advantageous arrangement, the lateral spacers are assembledfrom separate components. This has benefits for storage, since lessstorage space is required.

[0021] It is particularly practical if the lateral spacers and/or theupper and/or lower spacers are furnished with apertures distributed overthe circumference. These serve to allow the concrete to flow through.The apertures ensure secure implantation of the hollow bodies in thehollow body concrete floor because the concrete fills the apertures.

[0022] An improvement of the invention provides that at least somehollow bodies are furnished with at least two lateral apertures to allowgases to flow in and escape, and that at least two apertures each ofdifferent hollow bodies are connected by pipes. This provisional stepduring construction enables the hollow bodies located in the hollow bodyconcrete floor to be used as a heating or air conditioning system afterthe concrete has been laid. For example, a fan may be used to force airthrough the hollow bodies that are connected to one another by a networkof pipes. It is preferable to avoid the arrangement of complicatedheating or air conditioning systems under the floor pavement.

[0023] It is advantageous if at least some pipes are furnished withbutterfly valves. These butterfly valves may be used to regulate theflow of air. This means that directed regulation of the individualcavities is with cold or warm air is possible.

[0024] An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail withreference to the drawing.

[0025] In the drawing:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a hollow body havinglateral spacers and lower spacers;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the hollow body withclippable lateral spaces as well as upper and lower spacers;

[0028]FIG. 3 is an representation of the clip mechanism;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a hollow body in theadhesive arrangement between concrete and reinforcement;

[0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a double-headed anchor;

[0031]FIG. 6 is a representation of a hollow body and reinforcementarrangement;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a representation of hollow bodies interconnected withpipes.

[0033]FIG. 1 shows a hollow body 1 under no load, top wall 2 of which isfurnished with ventilation holes 3. Upper spacers 8 are attached to thetop face of hollow body 1, lower spacers 9 that are attached to theunderside are not visible in FIG. 1. Upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9serve to maintain the separation between hollow body 1 and reinforcementlayers (not shown). Lateral spacers 5 are attached to the hollow body.Lateral spacers 5 are annular in shape, as are upper spacers 8.Apertures 6 are furnished along the entire circumference of lateralspacers 5 and upper and lower spacers 8, 9. Apertures 6 of upper spacers8 are located in a concentric cylindrical surface 20. Apertures 6 oflateral spacers 5 are located in a radial annular surface 21. Apertures6 allow the concrete to flow through. Apertures 6 enable hollow bodies 1to be incorporated in the concrete significantly more effectivelybecause the concrete flows through apertures 6. Hollow body 1 consistsof a conically conformed receptacle made from plastic. This allowshollow bodies 1 to be stacked inside one another.

[0034]FIG. 2 also shows hollow body 1. It differs from FIG. 1 in thatlateral spacers 5 and upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9 may be clippedonto hollow body 1. Lateral spacer 7 is also assembled from fourcomponent parts, which must be clipped on individually. A similar methodof assembling separate components is also conceivable for upper spacers8 and lower spacers 9. Upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9 are attachedto the hollow body from above and below respectively, in thisembodiment, both spacers 8 and 9 and shown as single-piece units.

[0035]FIG. 3 illustrates the principle of a possible clip mechanism 11.Holes 10 are bored in hollow body 1. Upper spacers 8 and lover spacers 9are inserted into these holes 10 using a clip mechanism 11. Clipmechanism 11 consists of a pin 12, on whose end 13 distal to lateralspacer 7 or lower spacer 9 is attached an elastic wedge 14, whichcollapses against pin 12 while the clip mechanism is being inserted inhole 10, and expands again when the mechanism is fully inserted, wherebyupper and lower as well as lateral spacers are secured.

[0036]FIG. 4 shows a hollow body in the adhesive arrangement betweenconcrete and reinforcement. The necessary distance between adjacenthollow bodies is maintained by lateral spacer 7. The hollows bodies arepacked as tightly as possible. Upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9maintain the distance between upper reinforcement layer 15 and lowerreinforcement layer 16. In known hollow body concrete floors, the hollowbody would have had to be suspended in wire cages. A further innovationconsists in the lateral spacers do not need to be inserted between thehollow bodies subsequently, which would not allow the hollow bodies tobe arranged without levelling. Lateral spacers 7 and spacer 8, 9 areeither attached to hollow bodies 1 before they are arranged, or alreadyform an integral part of the unit. This is an exclusive method forsaving a great deal of time in arranging the hollow bodies. At the sametime, a major fraction of the concrete and steel is eliminated, therebyreducing the weight and the thickness of the floor.

[0037]FIG. 5 shows a double-headed anchor 17. This is inserted betweenadjacent hollow bodies in areas requiring reinforcement against tensileand shearing stresses. Double-headed anchor 17 absorbs the tensile andshearing stresses, whereas the concrete absorbs the compressivestresses.

[0038]FIG. 6 shows a hollow body and reinforcement arrangement. Hollowbodies 1 with lateral spacers 7 are arranged in the most compactconfiguration possible. Hollow bodies 1 are situated between tworeinforcement layers, the distance from which is maintained by upper andlower spacers 8, 9. The upper reinforcement also serves as a worksurface. Double-headed anchors 17 are inserted between adjacent hollowbodies 1 in areas requiring reinforcement against tensile and shearingstresses. These are located in the interstitial spaces created by themost tightest possible packing arrangement. In areas 18 where the floormust consist of solid concrete reinforcing cages 19 having the samedimensions as hollow bodies 1 are implemented. The bearing force of thefloor shown here is not oriented. This means that, floors of any surfaceshape may be constructed very easily. Before, it was necessary toreinforce the individual ribs of hollow body concrete floors withhorizontal reinforcing means. To this end, reinforcing rods had to bewoven together. According to the present invention, this can bedispensed with entirely. This represents a considerable reduction inconcrete used. The floor is easier to construct and thus alsoconsiderably less expensive. The double-headed anchors serve to absorbthe tensile and shearing stresses that arise and are inserted from abovein the interstitial spaces between the hollow bodies.

[0039]FIG. 7 shows hollow bodies 1 having lateral apertures 22. Theselateral apertures 22 are connected by means of pipes 23. Certain pipesare furnished with butterfly valves. In this way, air may be pumpedthrough the hollow bodies in the completed floor that are connected bythe pipes. Thus, the floor provides air conditioning and heating. Acomplicated piping system is not required.

[0040] key to Drawings

[0041]01 Hollow body

[0042]02 Top face

[0043]03 Ventilation holes

[0044]04 Bottom face

[0045]05 Lateral spacers

[0046]06 Apertures

[0047]07 Lateral spacers

[0048]08 Upper spacers

[0049]09 Lower spacers

[0050]10 Boreholes

[0051]11 Clip mechanism

[0052]12 Pin

[0053]13 End

[0054]14 Elastic wedge

[0055]15 Upper reinforcement layer

[0056]16 Lower reinforcement layer

[0057]17 Double-headed anchor

[0058]18 Solid concrete floor area

[0059]19 Reinforcement cages

[0060]20 Concentric surface

[0061]21 Radial surface

[0062]22 Lateral apertures

[0063]23 Pipes

1. A hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab made fromconcrete having reinforcements and conical hollow bodies thecross-section of which is essentially round, oval or more thanquadrilateral, wherein hollow bodies are arranged between an upper and alower reinforcement layer at least in sections essentially in the mostcompact configuration possible, wherein areas between upper and lowerreinforcement layer may be provided without hollow bodies, characterisedin that spacers (8, 9) are arranged between upper reinforcement layer(15) and hollow bodies (1) on the one hand and between lowerreinforcement layer (16) and hollow bodies (1) on the other hand, andthat vertical reinforcements (17) are inserted in at least some of theinterstitial spaces formed by three adjacent hollow bodies (1).
 2. Thehollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according toclaim 1, characterised in that hollow bodies (1) and upper and/or lowerspacers (8, 9) are a single unit.
 3. The hollow body concrete floor orhollow body concrete slab according to either of claims 1 or 2,characterised in that the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) are annular.4. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab accordingto any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the upper and/or lowerspacers (8, 9) may be assembled from separate components.
 5. The hollowbody concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any ofclaims 1 to 4, characterised in that means (11) are provided forattaching the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) and/or the separatecomponents.
 6. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concreteslab according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the upperand/or lower spacers (8, 9) and/or the separate components are securedto hollow body (1) by means of a clip mechanism (11).
 7. The hollow bodyconcrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1to 6, characterised in that double-headed anchors (17) are provided asvertical reinforcement.
 8. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow bodyconcrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in thathollow bodies (1) having varying average diameters are provided in thehollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab.
 9. The hollowbody concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any ofclaims 1 to 8, characterised in that hollow bodies (1) are made fromplastic.
 10. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slabaccording to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that lateral spacers(5, 7) are provided.
 11. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow bodyconcrete slab according to claim 10, characterised in that lateralspacers (5, 7) and hollow bodies (1) are a single unit.
 12. The hollowbody concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to either ofclaims 10 or 11, characterised in that lateral spacers (5, 7) may beassembled from separate components.
 13. The hollow body concrete flooror hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 10 to 12,characterised in that means (11) are provided for attaching the lateralspacers (5, 7) to hollow body (1).
 14. The hollow body concrete floor orhollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 10 to 13,characterised in that the lateral spacers (5, 7) are secured to hollowbody (1) by means of a clip mechanism (11).
 15. The hollow body concretefloor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 10 to 14,characterised in that lateral spacers (5, 7) are assembled from separatecomponents.
 16. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concreteslab according to any of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that lateralspacers (5, 7) and/or the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) arefurnished with apertures (6) distributed about their entirecircumference.
 17. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow bodyconcrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterised in thatat least some hollow bodies (1) are furnished with at least two lateralapertures (22) to allow gases to flow in and escape, and that at leasttwo apertures each of different hollow bodies (1) are interconnected bypipes 23).
 18. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concreteslab according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that at leastsome pipes are furnished with butterfly valves.